The original screenplay comes from psychotherapist, poet and first-time feature writer Jonathan Asser and deals with “a 17-year-old boy who meets his father for the first time since he was a toddler when he is transferred from a young offender’s institute to an adult prison because of his violence.”

‘Starred Up’ is set to kick off production early 2013 with filming to take place in the Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast. The film has the backing of Sigma Films, Film4 and Creative Scotland.